Elderly, Blind, and Disabled Waiver (EBD)
In order to qualify for the EBD Waiver, seniors must receive Colorado Health First Benefits. Age, income, disability and citizenship status factor into eligibility. Income caps are as follows:
- Income must be less than 300% of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) limits
- Single seniors cannot have more than $2,000 in resources
- Couples cannot have more than $3,000 in resources
Through the Medicaid Buy-In Program for Working Adults with Disabilities, seniors may still qualify for the EBD Waiver.
Services covered under this waiver include but aren’t limited to:
- Transportation
- Personal care
- Medication assistance
- Housekeeping
In addition, EBD recipients receive all Health First Colorado services other than long-term nursing facility or hospital care. Some of these services include:
- Primary physician visits
- Specialist visits
- Emergency room visits
- Ambulance visits
- Dental care
To sign up for the EBD Waiver, seniors must be enrolled in Colorado Health First and contact their respective Single Entry Point (SEP) or Member Contact Center. Applications for Colorado Health First can be completed online, by mail, in person or by phone at (800) 221-3943.
Community Mental Health Supports Waiver (CMHS)
Seniors must meet eligibility and level-of-care requirements to qualify for the CMHS Waiver. Applicants must have a mental health condition that interferes with their ability to perform activities of daily living. Developmental and intellectual disorders are not applicable, nor is substance abuse disorder without an additional mental disorder present.
Applicants must require long-term care that’s comparable to nursing facility services and meet the same financial requirements as for the EBD Waiver, which are as follows:
- Income must not exceed 300% of Supplemental Security Income (SSI) limits
- Single seniors must not have resources exceeding $2,000
- Couples must not have resources exceeding $3,000
Seniors with income in excess of these amounts may still qualify for the CMHS Waiver through the Colorado Medicaid Buy-In Program.
The CMHS Waiver adds to Colorado Health First Services such as doctor visits, specialist visits, emergency room visits and dental care. In addition, the following are added:
- Adult day services
- Nutritional services
- Homemaking services
- Life skills training
- Mentorship services
- Personal care
To enroll in the CMHS Waiver, seniors must already be enrolled in Health First. If not enrolled in Health First, individuals can complete applications online, by mail, in person or by phone.
Seniors enrolled in Health First who want to also enroll in the CMHS Waiver can contact their applicable Member Contact Center or Single Entry Point (SEP) to apply.